SCHOOLS in Inverclyde are bracing themselves for the second-highest number of twins on record starting primary one next week.

A total of 17 sets of similar siblings are due to begin P1 on Friday in an area that has become known as ‘Twinverclyde’ for its high rate of twins.

This is the second-highest twin count for Inverclyde, following a record 19 sets in 2015.

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Most of the class of 2023 gathered at St Patrick’s Primary in Greenock for a dress rehearsal ahead of the big day next week, with 15 of the 17 sets of twins in attendance.

The school, along with Ardgowan Primary, will welcome the most pairs of similar siblings with three sets each joining their respective P1 classes.

Greenock Telegraph: Inverclyde schools record second highest number of twins starting primary one

Greenock Telegraph: Inverclyde schools record second highest number of twins starting primary one

Greenock Telegraph: Inverclyde schools record second highest number of twins starting primary one

Greenock Telegraph: Inverclyde schools record second highest number of twins starting primary one

Greenock Telegraph: Inverclyde schools record second highest number of twins starting primary one

Depute provost Graeme Brooks said: “It has become an annual tradition in Inverclyde, or Twinverclyde as we’ve become known, to welcome our twins into primary one.

“Excitement is definitely building for the start of the new term next week and what better way to look forward to that than seeing the pupils here looking resplendent in their uniforms.

“It’s also a good bit of fun for parents too – and a handy dress rehearsal ahead of the real thing next Friday.

“We’re lucky to have so many incredible schools here in Inverclyde with every one renewed or extensively refurbished, including St Patrick’s which was rebuilt and opened in 2016, thanks to the council’s unprecedented quarter of a billion pound investment in our schools estate.

“But schools are nothing without the children, staff and families who make them and it’s great to see some of the next generation coming through here today and I wish them all the very best as they embark on the next stage of their education journey.”

The class of 2023 will take the Inverclyde twin count to 147 sets since 2013, which is an average of 13 sets each year.

Among the pairs of pupils set to start school were five-year-olds Anna and Aaron Fulton, who are enrolled at King’s Oak Primary.

Greenock Telegraph: Inverclyde schools record second highest number of twins starting primary one

Greenock Telegraph: Inverclyde schools record second highest number of twins starting primary one

Greenock Telegraph: Inverclyde schools record second highest number of twins starting primary one

Their proud mum Arlene told the Tele she was so happy to see her little ones starting school.

She said: “It’s such a big day, after a long wait for them to start it’s come in too quickly almost.

“Seventeen sets of twins is something else, it must be something in the water.

“They’re really excited to start school, I held off putting them in for a year because I thought it’d be better for them with Covid and they’re so ready this year.

“They’re going to be in separate classes which I hope gives them a wee bit of independence and space.”